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David Getches, former CU-Boulder law school dean, dies of pancreatic cancer

By Mitchell Byars, Camera Staff Writer

Posted:
07/05/2011 04:55:53 PM MDT

Updated:
07/05/2011 08:48:16 PM MDT

David Getches (University of Colorado)

David Getches, who up until last week was dean of the University of Colorado School of Law, died Tuesday of pancreatic cancer.

Getches, 68, died at his home, CU officials said. A spokeswoman for the law school said Getches was first diagnosed with cancer in early June.

"David was an incredibly energetic, optimistic, hardworking and loving guy," said William Pizzi, a retired CU law professor. "He had that aura about him, whether it was teaching, government service or working with the university and the law school. He will be missed by many."

Getches announced in September that he would step down from his position at the end of June to rejoin the faculty after eight years serving as the school's dean. He was replaced Friday by Phil Weiser.

In an interview with the Camera last year, Getches said he was returning to the faculty because he missed teaching and interacting with students.

"I think everyone that knew him knew what an excellent and hard worker he was, and he showed his dedication in his time as dean, and I'm sure he would have shown that dedication when he went back to teaching," said Christopher Mueller, a professor at the law school. "He was a straight shooter, fair and honest."

A member of the faculty since 1979, Getches became dean of the school in 2003. During his tenure, he oversaw the opening of the $40 million Wolf Law Building in 2006.

"He took the dean's position at a very difficult time for the law school," Mueller said. "We didn't have the funding for the Wolf Law Building, and Dave threw himself into the task of building it and carried it to completion."

He also worked to increase scholarship money for those going to the school and increased the school's endowment 80 percent since 2003.

Getches moved to Colorado in 1970 to become founding executive director of the Boulder-based Native American Rights Fund, a national, nonprofit American Indian-interest law firm. From 1983 to 1987, Getches was executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources under Gov. Richard D. Lamm.

A memorial service for Getches will be announced at a later date. Contributions can be sent to the David H. Getches Scholarship Fund. Additional information is available at cufund.org/GetchesScholarship.

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